If there is one thing that is held sacred in Oregon it is beer. Rarely do you see breweries go out of business, and when they do it is almost never because they were having trouble selling beer. When Brian Yaeger, who wrote “Red, White, and Brew” set out to write his latest book, “Oregon Breweries“, it was an incredibly daunting task; ultimately he would have to visit 192 breweries all over this sprawling state.

We talk with Brian on this episode of the podcast about his journey while writing the book. He talks about a few of the gems he found along the way and why Oregon is such a fertile place for good beer. He also talks about how a donut maker taught him to appreciate the stories of the people behind the food. The story and interview were recorded at KBOO Community Radio in Portland, OR.

When cities formed, they were essentially just groups of people coming together in one place. What we imagine as a city now is a far cry from what they were originally.

Catherine McNeur, a historian and professor at Portland State University, takes a look at New York City during it’s infancy in her book Taming Manhattan: Environmental Battles in the Antebellum City. The book covers a period of time when a politician’s view on the issue of urban pigs could make or break them. On this episode of the podcast, Catherine talks about the book, including the early pig riots, how the city interacted with the nearby farms, and the push away from local foods. She also tells a story about her move to Portland and how she kept running into urban livestock while finishing the book.

The story and interview were recorded at KBOO Community Radio in Portland, OR. Find more information about Taming Manhattan at CatherineMcNeur.com.

Join rancher and environmental activist Nicolette Hahn Niman to discuss her new book, Defending Beef: The Case for Sustainable Meat Production. Ms. Niman discusses the impact of beef on our health and out earth, the reasons our grasslands need ruminants, and how it is that a long-time vegetarian could become a cattle rancher.

Kitchen Workshop host Mary Reilly, editor and publisher of Edible Pioneer Valley is joined by Catherine Walthers. Cathy is a personal chef and food writer. She is the author of four cookbooks, the latest of which is Kale, Glorious Kale.

Join us in the Workshop as Mary and Cathy discuss varieties of kale, the perfect kale chip and kale cocktails! Cathy also shares her secret for making the perfect kale salad (hint: it involves massage therapy!).

Kitchen Workshop host Mary Reilly, editor and publisher of Edible Pioneer Valley, speaks to Cal Peternell about his book Twelve Recipes. Cal been a part of the team at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California for nearly twenty years and is currently the chef of the downstairs restaurant.

His book embraces the idea that we should know how to cook a few things well. Then we can use those recipes as springboard for more creative thought. Twelve Recipes is written from a professional chef’s perspective, so experienced cooks will feel as if they have found a peer in its pages. But, it’s written from a father’s point of view as well; so a less-experienced cook will also find a comforting voice. Learn more about Cal Peternell at CalPeternell.com, and pick up a copy of Twelve Recipes at your favorite local bookseller!

Kitchen Workshop host Mary Reilly, editor and publisher of Edible Pioneer Valley, speaks to Rose Levy Beranbaum about her latest book, The Baking Bible. They discuss her unique ingredient grid system and that fact that with ten cookbooks under her belt, she learns something new every time.

PLUS! Three great recipes from her new book below the fold: Chocolate Hazelnut Tart, Praline Pecan Meringue Cookies, and Hazelnut Praline Mousse.

At the end of September a number of farmers, plant breeders, and chefs gathered together in Portland, Oregon for the Variety Showcase. The event was put on by previous Underground Airwaves guest Lane Selman. At the event, people could taste a number of different varieties of vegetables and determine the ones they liked best. Not only could they rank the varieties but the farmers and seed breeders were there and ready to talk about all of the vegetables.

One of the plant breeders at the event was Michael Mazourek of Cornell University. He and I found a moment to step out and talk about his work as a breeder. In that conversation he describes a pepper that he has recently bred that will soon be available commercially (see link for the Habanada below). He also talks about how his early gardening experiences influenced him as a plant breeder. The story and interview were recorded at Chris King Precision Components in Portland.

Kitchen Workshop host Mary Reilly, editor and publisher of Edible Pioneer Valley, speaks to Dorie Greenspan about her latest book Baking Chez Moi, Recipes from my Paris Home to your Home Anywhere. Listen and learn about falling in love (with pastry), the intricacies of working with French butter in American kitchens and the secret of “The French Bake”.